Kristin Hersh talks with the Music Biz Weekly podcastWelcome to episode 56 of The Music Biz Weekly, a weekly podcast co-hosted by Michael Brandvold and Brian Thompson. This episode is brought to you by Music XRay.

This week’s episode, April 27, 2012 – Kristin Hersh from Throwing Muses & Billy O’Connell from CASHMusic Discuss Fan Funding and DIY.

I’m super excited to share this week’s new episode of The Music Biz Weekly Podcast with you. We lucky enough to be joined by special guests Kristin Hersh and Billy O’Connell on the phone from their home in Portland, Oregon.

After founding her influential art-punk band Throwing Muses, at age 14, Kristin Hersh went on to spend the next 25 years confounding expectations and breaking rules – both her own and others’. From life as the reluctant front person for the Muses, to the solo career she swore never would happen, through the founding of an ambitious and altruistic nonprofit, and in her most recent foray into a surprisingly successful new career as an author, Kristin, like so many of us, didn’t see much of this coming.

In addition to Throwing Muses, Kristin performs with her other band 50FOOTWAVE and as a solo artist.

Billy O’Connell worked as a label manager of Sire Records and then left  to begin a career in artist management, working with Throwing Muses, Pixies and Barkmarket. From 1999 through 2007 I founded Virtuous Ticketing, the world’s first fair-trade ticket agency, as an artist-owned, sustainability-focused and community centered alternative to Ticketmaster.

In 2007 Billy co-founded the Coalition of Artists & Stake Holders (CASHMusic) as an open- source project for sustainable music business practices.

This is a not-to-miss episode with a truly inspirational artist.

Musicxray.comThis podcast was brought to you by Music XRay.

Music Xray automatically matches your songs to real industry opportunities.  Then, they give you direct access to the decision makers. Then, they guarantee they listen AND respond. No, Seriously.

Each week Michael and Brian will discuss the latest events in the music business and music marketing events and techniques.

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About Michael Brandvold:

Michael Brandvold is a freelance music industry consultant based in Northern California. Having launched Michael Brandvold Marketing to leverage his years of experience to provide direction to large and small clients in the areas of online & social marketing as well as e-commerce and customer acquisition and retention.

Gene Simmons of KISS first tapped Michael’s skills as a pioneering online marketing strategist to launch and manage all aspects of Kissonline.com’s multi-million dollar enterprise, including their ground-breaking VIP ticket program.

Michael has also managed the online efforts for Motley Crüe, Rod Stewart, Madonna, Ozzy Osbourne, Madonna and Britney Spears to name only a few.

About Brian Thompson:

Brian Thompson, Managing Partner for Thorny Bleeder Records, is a Vancouver based music industry entrepreneur, record label owner, artist manager, marketing consultant, radio promoter, publicist, web designer, blogger, and industry speaker.

Formerly the corporate head of music buying and marketing for a large national music retail chain, Brian has since moved on to become a well respected voice on the convergence of artist development, music marketing, social media, and technology.